14 Business Internships for High School Students in Connecticut
If you are a high school student in Connecticut thinking about studying business or working in the field, an internship can give you a solid starting point. A business internship shows you how ideas play out inside an office, a nonprofit, or a startup. You get to see how professionals plan budgets, launch marketing campaigns, organize events, or manage clients. That kind of exposure can help you understand which part of business interests you most, whether it’s numbers, strategy, or building new ideas.
Participating in business internships can show colleges and future employers that you can adapt and handle responsibility at a young age. Connecticut offers internships for high schoolers across a range of fields. With these internships, you don’t have to worry about expensive housing or long-distance travel the way you would with out-of-state programs. Instead, you can focus on learning while building connections with professionals in your community.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered 14 business internships in Connecticut for high school students!
14 Business Internships for High School Students in Connecticut
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies according to program type; financial aid available
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a highly selective, virtual internship program designed for ambitious high school students who want to gain real-world experience working with fast-growing startups. Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, the program matches you with a startup in industries ranging from AI/ML, deep tech, and health tech to journalism, marketing, consulting, and more. These startups are typically high-growth companies, many have raised over $1 million, and some are led by Y Combinator alumni or former employees of tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. As an intern, you work closely with your startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach on meaningful projects tailored to your interests and strengths. You’ll present your work to the company at last.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. City of New Haven Student Intern Program
Cost: Paid (hourly rates from $16.35 for high school freshmen to $17.10 for high school seniors)
Location: New Haven, CT
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Applications open periodically; check the City of New Haven’s employment site for postings
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ enrolled in an accredited school (preference for New Haven residents)
The City of New Haven Student Intern Program offers high school and college students a chance to gain paid, hands-on experience in municipal government operations. If you're interested in business or finance, this program places you in relevant departments like Human Resources, Economic Development, Finance, or City Planning. You'll assist with tasks such as budget preparation, contract review, workforce analysis, and report writing. You will work under the mentorship of experienced city professionals and contribute to meaningful projects that reflect the responsibilities of roles like business analysts, HR coordinators, and public sector accountants.
4. Youth@Work – New Haven Work-Based Learning Experience
Cost: Paid program; State of Connecticut minimum wage; up to 25 hours/week in summer
Location: New Haven, CT (placements across local businesses, nonprofits, and agencies)
Dates: July 7 – August 8; year-round opportunities also available
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–21 who reside in New Haven or attend a New Haven public high school
The Youth@Work – New Haven Work-Based Learning Experience is a large-scale paid internship program that places students directly into professional environments with a strong focus on business and organizational operations. You’ll work with local businesses, entrepreneurial groups, and administrative offices where assignments include assisting with finance, customer service, marketing tasks, or project support. This program is designed to give you early exposure to workplace dynamics such as budgeting, time management, teamwork, and leadership.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders
Cost: Paid internship
Location: Various U.S. communities, including Connecticut-based ones.
Dates: 8-week summer internship, including the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., on July 21–26
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in November and close in January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, reside in an eligible location, and can commit to the full 8-week program
The Bank of America Student Leaders® Program connects high school juniors and seniors with full-time, paid summer internships at local nonprofits, while also providing national-level leadership development. You will gain professional workplace experience, attend skills-building workshops, and explore how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to create change. A highlight of the program is the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet peers from across the country, engage in civic learning, and develop leadership skills.
6. ReadyCT Career-Connected Learning Internships
Cost: Paid (students earn wages from employers)
Location: Statewide in Connecticut, with employer partnerships across sectors
Dates: Year-round, with internships and career-connected programs running during the academic year and summer
Application Deadline: Varies by school and program; students should apply through their school counselors or ReadyCT partnerships.
Eligibility: Connecticut public high school students, with a focus on low-income and minority students
The ReadyCT Career-Connected Learning Internships program is a statewide initiative that places Connecticut public high school students in paid internships with local employers across high-demand sectors like business, insurance, IT, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Through partnerships with over 100 companies, students engage in real-world projects, shadow professionals, and gain firsthand experience in workplace expectations and career pathways. You’ll participate in resume-building workshops, mock interviews, site visits, and mentorship sessions. ReadyCT also runs specialized programs like G.R.I.T. (Get Ready! Immersive Traineeship), which places students in healthcare settings such as Hartford Hospital to tackle real organizational challenges.
7. P-TECH Norwalk
Cost: Free; internships are paid by employer partners
Location: Norwalk, CT
Program Dates: Year-round, with internships during the school year and summer
Application Deadline: Students must apply for admission to P-TECH Norwalk through Norwalk Public Schools’ choice program deadlines
Eligibility: Open to Norwalk and Connecticut high school students accepted into the P-TECH Norwalk program
P-TECH Norwalk is an innovative early-college high school that combines academics with hands-on industry experience. As a student, you not only work toward your high school diploma but also earn an associate degree in applied science while participating in paid internships with leading companies such as IBM, GE, and Prudential. These internships immerse you in real-world business environments where you take on tasks in operations, IT, project management, and communications. You also benefit from one-on-one mentoring, workplace site visits, and networking with professionals who guide your career development. The integrated structure ensures that by graduation, you leave with both academic credentials and practical business experience, giving you a strong head start in higher education or the workforce.
8. Henny Penny Farm High School Internship Program
Cost: Unpaid
Location: Ridgefield, CT
Dates: June 17 – August 8 (6–8 weeks; flexible start/end dates for high school interns)
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (must be under 22) and college-aged students
The Henny Penny Farm High School Internship Program offers a hands-on, immersive experience for students interested in sustainable agriculture and small business operations. Located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, the farm partners with local schools to place you directly into the rhythms of farm life, where you’ll care for animals, steward the land, and participate in seasonal tasks that reflect the realities of running a working farm. Beyond agriculture, the program focuses on entrepreneurship. You’ll engage in farm stand retail, customer service, and inventory management, gaining insight into how small businesses operate and thrive.
9. UConn Pre-College Summer: Business Entrepreneurship
Location: Storrs, CT (University of Connecticut)
Cost: Varies by course; limited need-based financial aid available
Application deadline: March 24 for the summer session
Program dates: July 7 – August 2 (multiple 1-week sessions)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The UConn Pre-College Summer offers a comprehensive business entrepreneurship course for ambitious high school students interested in business fundamentals, innovation, and start-up strategy. This in-person program combines classroom sessions with hands-on projects, allowing you to develop business plans, work in teams, and hear from guest speakers working in Connecticut’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. You’ll also tour campus facilities for a glimpse at college life and finish the week with a group pitch to a panel of industry professionals.
10. Organizational Leadership 5-Week Virtual Summer Research Experience – Stevens School of Business
Cost: $1,500
Location: Virtual
Dates: July 7 – August 11
Application Deadline: March 1 (notifications on April 15)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Organizational Leadership 5-Week Virtual Summer Research Experience from the Stevens School of Business is a rigorous, asynchronous program designed for ambitious high school students interested in business, management, and leadership. The program blends independent learning modules with live weekly office hours led by Stevens faculty and mentors, giving you the chance to apply theoretical concepts to real-world business challenges. You’ll explore topics such as corporate culture, strategic communication, ethics, and social responsibility, while developing core skills in analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, and professional communication.
11. Future Founders – Be Your Own Boss Internship
Cost: Pays a stipend (amount based on attendance and participation)
Location: Virtual
Dates: April 1 – April 24 (spring cohort; additional cycles run year-round)
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Open to high school students nationwide (public and charter schools)
The Be Your Own Boss Internship by Future Founders lets you explore entrepreneurship by creating your own business idea, designing an app prototype, and pitching it at a community showcase. You also join sessions led by entrepreneurs, learn through STEM-based lessons, and connect with business leaders from across the U.S. By the end, you build entrepreneurial skills, earn a stipend, and grow your network. The program is open to students from many backgrounds and is a good fit if you are curious about starting your own venture.
12. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Dates: Quarter-time internships (1–9 months, ~8 hrs/week) are available year-round; half-time internships (2–8 weeks, 20 hrs/week) are available in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended due to limited spots
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.25+ and at least one honours-level science or English class (exceptions possible)
The EnergyMag Virtual Internship is a free remote program for high school and college students interested in renewable energy storage. You work on projects like company profiling, market analysis, and professional report writing, while receiving mentorship and daily guidance from supervisors. If your work meets publication standards, it can be published on EnergyMag’s platform with your name on it, giving you a portfolio piece for college or career use. You also build skills in business analysis, writing, research, and project management, all while working from home.
13. Interns 4-Good
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual (U.S.-based nonprofit, accepts international applicants)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions throughout the year
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally; strong interest in community service, nonprofit work, and virtual collaboration preferred
Interns 4-Good is a youth-led nonprofit that connects high school students with virtual internships at nonprofits and social enterprises. You can contribute in areas like marketing, communications, research, nonprofit management, and program support, while also engaging in peer-to-peer tutoring or service projects. With over 15,000 students involved and 330 nonprofits partnered globally, Interns 4-Good has become a recognized platform for teens to gain professional skills while making a social impact.
14. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount varies by role and location)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: February 27 (Summer); September 12 (Spring); May 22 (Fall)
Program Dates: Summer Session: June–August
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; high school students age 16+ with 3.0 GPA or higher
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internships are one of the few federal opportunities open to high school students, offering placements not just in engineering, but also in business-focused departments. Depending on your placement, you may assist with financial management, procurement, budgeting, human resources, IT support, or project coordination alongside NASA professionals. These internships provide paid, hands-on experience in how a major government agency manages its business operations while supporting groundbreaking missions. You’ll also be paired with a mentor, attend professional development workshops, and work on projects that strengthen your resume for both college and future careers.